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ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: After a delay of three decades, the Ministry of Science and Technology on Friday launched its first national policy.

A ceremony marked the launching of the ‘National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2012’. The event was organised by Pakistan Council for Science and Technology in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology at a local hotel.

The idea for a national policy first came up in 1960 when the National Science Commission of Pakistan was constituted to consider how best scientific research could be promoted.

In 1975, preparation of the first national S&T policy was initiated. However, it took another decade for the final approval to develop the policy in 1984.

“Now about three decades later, the policy is being launched,” said Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali.Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar said: “The new policy envisages a paradigm shift, in which innovation is recognised as an integral part of the S&T system.”

He highlighted the aims and objectives of the policy under the broader areas of socio-economic development, human resource development, R&D infrastructure and promotion of science and technology.

The Pakistan Commission for Science and Technology has been entrusted with the implementation of the policy, he added.

Chairperson PCST Prof Mudassir Asrar said they would take all the stakeholders on board in the implementation of the policy.

The highlights of the police include ST&I planning and management structure that has not been functioning in an optimal manner.

The policy emphasises development of quality human resource, training and education.